Bachelor of Science(Honours) in International Relations

About the Programme

What makes this program unique in contrast to many other programs offered in African institutions of higher learning is that it is very specific about the need to promote and defend African interests and etch out a niche for the continent in global politics. This is achieved by premising the study on African ideas and institutions and highlighting the role that Kemet 3200-332BC (ancient Egypt) played in creating unique ideas about government, economics and implementing them successfully at national and international levels.

Kemet initiated the concept of centralised authority and transformed the Nile valley from food gathering to food production. This civilisation also addressed most of the issues of critical importance in the present day world. It made contributions in Physics, chemistry, biology, geology, applied maths, medicine, pharmacology, surgery, astronomy and geometry and cultural contributions in writing, literature and art. In fact, there is no fundamental issue which the current global political leadership addresses which Kemet did not address and the answers which Kemet came up with are just as good as those the leadership has come up with.

It should be noted that European thought which continues to receive so much attention is premised on Kemetic thought and that Asian thought which emerges about 1400BC and focusing on hierarchical society and intelligent pursuit of interests actually reinforces Kemetic thought. When Alexander of Macedonia conquered ancient Egypt in 332BC in order to study and capture ancient Egyptian civilisation he built the city of Alexandria as a centre of learning, stacked 200 000 volumes in the main library and 45 000 volumes in a smaller library. Scholars from Europe and Asia came to ancient Egypt where they received the benefits of Kemetic civilisation the oldest civilisation on planet earth.

Following on the ancient Egyptian example, the program examines international relations by focusing on organisations that Africans have created specifically to locate continental interests more successfully in global dynamics namely Southern African Development Community, Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa, East African Community, Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. The philosophy which informs the creation of these organisations is pan-Africanism, out of which have flowed other philosophies such as Afrocentricity and Ubuntu with the same purpose of promoting and defending African interests.

The program also examines organisations created and controlled by non-Africans, such as the United Nations and its Agencies, the European Union, the North American Free Trade Area and others. This is done to clarify how these organisations promote non-African interests and the challenges Africans have to address to extract resources from these organisations to promote their interests.

Entry Requirements

To be admitted to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in International Relations candidates must possess:

Passes with credit in at least five GCE Ordinary Level subjects including English Language

At least two GCE Advanced Level/High School or equivalent passes preferably History and Business studies and approved equivalent qualifications in the applicants’ countries of origin.

Mature Entry:

Applicants must be at 25 years or above at the time of application

Applicants must have obtained 5 ‘O’ Level subjects including English and History

Applicants must have demonstrated their suitability for university studies by attaining of additional qualification or relevant work experience

Applicants should normally have completed their school or college studies at least five years prior to admission.

Year One Semester One

HAS100 Introduction to African Studies

HCS101 Communication Studies I

HPO111 Portuguese for Beginners I (elective)

HFR111 French for Beginners I (elective)

HSL111 English as Second Language I (elective)

HIR111 Classical African Political Thought (core)

HIR112 Philosophy of African Institutions (core)

HIR113 Politics of Exploitation and Colonial Domination (core)

Year One Semester Two

HCS102 Communication Skills II

HIT100 Introduction to Information Technology

HPO112 Portuguese for Beginners II (elective)

HFR112 French for Beginners II (elective)

HSL112 English as a Second Language II (elective)

HIR121 Modern African Political Thought (core)

HIR122 European Political Thought (core)

HIR123 Asian Political Thought (core)

HIT124 International Relations of African States (core)

Year Two Semester One

HIR221 Economic Development of Africa

HIR212 Displacement and Conflict in Africa

HIR213 Comparative Political Developments in Africa

HIR214 Political Economy of North-South Relations

HIR215 International Organizations

HIR216 Morality and Political Change

Year Two Semester Two

HIR221 NGOs and World Politics

HIR222 Evolution of African Diplomacy and Practice

HIR223 African Authors and Politics

HIR224 Political Leadership in Africa

HIR225 Research Methods

Year Three Semester One

HIR311 Politics of International Trade

HIR312 States and Markets

HIR313 Environmental Diplomacy

HIR314 Politics of Developing Countries

HIR315 International Law

HIR316 The Law of Contract

Year Three Semester Two

HIR317 Internship

Year Four Semester One

HIR317 Internship

Year Four Semester Two

HIR421 Law and Politics

HIR422 Constitutional Rights and Social Change

HIR423 Women, Power and African Political Systems

HIR424 Gender and the State

HIR425 Research Project

HIR426 Government and Politics in Global Perspective

Career and Job Opportunities

Students who complete the degree will have an opportunity to work either of the following international, governmental, voluntary or charitable organizations of their choice: